Lassa fever: Lagosians to exchange dead rats for money

A non-governmental organisation and company, Phosguard Fumigant Ltd in partnership with Lagos State government said a project is underway in which residents of the state will receive money in exchange for dead rats.

Tagged “Kill rats, make money,” the project when it becomes operative will aim at motivating residents to rid the state of rats, and help avert cases of Lassa fever and other diseases associated with rodents across the state.

An initiative of Phosguard Fumigant Ltd, Oluwasegun Benson, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, said Phosguard Fumigant is collaborating with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to de-rat the state, and prevent epidemic from Lassa fever and other diseases.

“As part of efforts to de-rat the state and prevent epidemic from Lassa fever and other diseases, a bounty has been placed on rats in the state.

“We will buy off at least 20 rats for a yet-to-be determined amount; in Lagos now it is operation kill rats and make money.

“A rat has 28 days gestation period and in the past years, there has not been any solid structure on ground to curb them from infecting humans with diseases.

“We are already approaching an epidemic level which can lead to a pandemic level with Lassa Fever and we must be proactive and launch a more coordinated approach to control them.

“It is war against rodents and pests in Lagos State. We cannot completely eradicate rodents, but we can control it to a minimal and tolerable level.

“Although, the decomposing rats can also be important to the ecosystem, but not in urban areas, they are destructive nature. Rats had caused fire in offices and homes by eating electricity cables,” Mr. Benson said.

He explained that the project had the capacity to create about 200 or 300 jobs, particularly for youths.

“Everything is going to be water-tight, as we are not just going to kill the rats, we are going to collect them using our trained and well-kitted personnel,” he said.